Associate / Senior Associate / Special Counsel, First Response

About the role

Atmos Australia and New Zealand is expanding its specialist First Response team, which works at the point where cyber incidents, privacy issues, digital crises, legal exposure, operational response and reputation management intersect. The team supports clients through urgent, high-stakes events such as major breaches, regulatory scrutiny and stakeholder pressure, combining legal, cyber intelligence, crisis communications and digital expertise.

What you will do

In this role, you will lead and coordinate rapid incident response matters alongside clients, internal specialists and the Atmos First Response and Remediation Panel. You will help manage unfolding cyber and privacy events and provide practical direction in real time.

• Handle cyber incidents and data breach matters.
• Shape privacy event response and regulatory notification strategy.
• Support crisis response, including engagement with government bodies and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-border incidents using support from the Atmos Atlas global panel.
• Contribute to post-incident remediation and risk reduction.

You will work closely with cyber incident responders, digital forensics and threat intelligence professionals, crisis communications experts, regulators, global legal partners, cyber insurance leaders, the in-house product and data teams, and the internal Readiness, Recovery, Disputes and Investigations teams.

This is legal work in a live crisis environment, not a conventional advisory role. You will also receive coaching and mentoring from senior First Response partners and other partners and directors across the Atmos group.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an Associate, Senior Associate or Special Counsel with a background in cyber incident response, privacy, regulatory work or technology matters. The ideal person will want to move beyond traditional law firm delivery into a fast-moving, client-facing advisory role.

• Experience in cyber incident response, privacy, regulatory or technology-related work.
• Strong judgement and composure in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to turn technical and legal complexity into clear, practical guidance.
• A collaborative approach and interest in working across multiple disciplines.
• Curiosity, adaptability and a mindset suited to evolving technology-related harm and community protection work.

Experience in cyber incident response, data protection, privacy law or in-house incident response is especially valued.

Why join Atmos

Atmos is building a distinctive offering in cyber, privacy and digital risk. The organisation focuses on innovation, streamlined operations and meaningful client impact, while also supporting professional growth and wellbeing.

• A market-leading bonus structure, including innovation rewards.
• Merit-based progression without PQE ceilings.
• Hybrid working and genuine flexibility.
• AI-enabled systems and operational support.
• Opportunity to contribute through the Atmos First Response Pro Bono Program.

The culture is guided by four principles: putting people first, finding better solutions, moving quickly while keeping things simple, and recognising contribution.

The bigger vision

Atmos aims to reshape cyber, privacy and digital risk management through innovative legal services for a world where technology, crisis and law are closely connected.

Additional information

Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Employment type: Full-time, onsite.